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No. 6l2,29|. Patented Oct. H, 1398.

T. A. & A. C. WILKINSON. UMBRELLA.

(Application filed June 28, 1897.)

(No Model.)

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N0. 6l2,29l. Patented Oct. ll, I898. T. A. & A. C. WILKINSON.

U M B B E L LA (Application filed June 28, 1897.)

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(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES,

PA ENT OFFICE.

THOMAS ALLEN WILKINSON AND ANNA C. WILKINSON, OF CINCINNATI,

OHIO, ASSIGNORS, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, OF TVVO- TIIIRDS TO GARDINER A. A. DEANE, OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS,

AND GEORGE D. LUMBIA.

MEIKLEJOI-IN, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF CO- UMBRELLA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 612,291, dated October 11, 1898. Application filed June 28,1897. Serial No. 642,888. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, THOMAS ALLE WIL- KINSON and ANNA O. WILKINSON, citizens of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Construction of Umbrellas, Sunshades, and Parasols, to be known as The Travelers Telescope Umbrella, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention is an improvement in folding umbrellas in which the rib-sections slide upon each other and the umbrella can be collapsed and folded into small space for packing in a valise or otherwise, as may be desired; and the invention consists in certain novel constructions and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation showing one rib extended and stretched in full lines and folded in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the handlejoint. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view showing the connection between the rib-sections. Fig. 4 is a sectional side view of a part of an umbrella embodying ourimprovements, the ribs and canopy being folded; and Fig.- 5 is a side view of an umbrella,the ribs,canopy, and handle being folded and the handle being extended in dotted lines.

The umbrella staff or stick A is jointed at a, so it can be folded, as shown in Fig. 5. The ribs are composed of the inner and outer sections or members B and C, which slide upon each other at their meeting ends, the section B being pivoted to the notch D, and the stretchers or braces E being connected to stretch the ribs in opening the umbrella, such braces E being connected in the usual manner with the runner F. In connecting the inner and outer members we provide them with end eyes I) and c, which embrace the meeting members and permit the outer mem her or section to be adjusted along the section B in folding the umbrella. The sections are provided with looking or latching devices and with a spring portion which permits the unlatching of the members. In the construction shown this is effected by providing the section C near its eye 0 with a notch G, having a shoulder g, which stops the section C when extended, and a somewhat rounded shoulder g. The section B has a loop I), which engages in the notch G, such loop being supported on a curved portion B of the section B, which portion may be drawn inward or straightened in order to permit the unlocking of the sections when it is desired to fold the umbrella. The stretchers E being connected with the sections C, such sections may be extended when the umbrella is folded,

as shown in Figs. 4; and 5, by drawing the runner F down the staff toward its handle end, the loop I) snapping into the notch G and locking the section C extended. To unlock the section, the umbrella being closed, as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 1, it is only necessary to slide the hand down over the stretchers, clasping the same together as closely as possible in the region of the joint with the ribs and then forcing the stretchers toward the notch, the shoulders g slipping through the loops ?9 and the sections C sliding up to the position shown in Figs. 4: and 5.

It will be understood that the term umbrella maybe regarded as suiiiciently broad to include tents, awnings, and similar c011- structions.

When folded, as shown in Fig. 5, two or more straps may be employed to bind the umbrella into compact form for packing.

It will be noticed that when the umbrella is opened for use the cover serves to curve the ribs, as usual, and that in so curving the ribs the tension of the bent or curved part B is increased. By thus giving an increased tension to such part when the umbrella is opened for use and in a measure releasing such tension when the umbrella is closed there is effected a secure locking of the ribs when the umbrella is opened, and the folding of such umbrella when closed is rendered easier by the lessening of the tension of the curved spring 13' in the folded position of the umbrella. Th us apart from the simplicity of construction secu red by making a part of the rib itself operate as the lock-spring we provide a look which is effective when in use and is so adjusted as to be easily released when desired.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An umbrella-rib composed of members sliding upon each other at their meeting ends and provided with devices which connect the members and lock the outer one when extended, one of such members having a curved portion at its locking end which may be straightened to unlock the members substantially as described.

2. An umbrella-rib composed of inner and outer members sliding upon each other at their meeting ends, one of such members having a notch or shoulder and the other mem ber having a curved portion provided with means engaging such notch or shoulder and which curved portion maybe straightened to release the sections from engagement substantially as shown and described.

3. An umbrella-rib composed of sections each having an end eye sliding on the other section, one section being provided between the eyes with a notch and the other section being curved adjacent to said not-ch to operate as a spring and provided on said curved portion with a loop arranged to engage in the tion and provided between said eyes one with a loop and the other with a seat in which said loop engages, one of the sections being curved to operate as a spring substantially as described.

6. An umbrella-rib composed of sections having eyes embracing and sliding upon each other such sections being provided between the eyes the one with a loop and the other with a seat in which the loop engages to interlock the rib-sections when extended and to space apart the eyes in such extended adjustment substantially as described.

THOMAS ALLEN WILKINSON. ANNAYC. WILKINSON.

WVitnesses:

J. H. DOUGLAS, A. R. MITCHELL. 

